Rep. Zakiya Summers

Maddy summaryHB 560 would require law enforcement officers to provide notice of their identity, authority, and purpose before entering a home or dwelling to execute any warrant, and to read and give a copy of the warrant to the person being searched or the person in control of the premises. It also restricts the issuance of no-knock warrants (warrants allowing entry without notice) to specific courts, including county, chancery, circuit, or the Mississippi Supreme Court. This bill directly affects police officers and residents during warrant executions by standardizing procedures and limiting when officers may enter without prior notice.

Maddy summaryHB 1052 requires Mississippi municipalities with populations over 150,000 to dedicate 12.5% of revenue from a special sales tax (levied on businesses like hotels, restaurants, and certain services) to two specific purposes: one-eighth (12.5%) for park and recreation improvements, and another one-eighth for blight elimination and related infrastructure projects. This bill amended existing tax law to redirect existing revenue streams - without creating new taxes - mandating that these funds be used regardless of whether projects appear in existing master plans. The measure applied only to large municipalities (150,000+ residents) and required the tax revenue to be accounted for separately by the state Department of Revenue. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 753 authorizes online voter registration for first-time voters in Mississippi. It requires applicants to have a valid Mississippi driver's license or photo ID, complete the application at least 30 days before an election (with exceptions for Sundays/holidays), and verifies identity by matching driver's license numbers and personal details against state records. County registrars must review applications within 14 days, approve or reject them based on verification, and provide written notification of approval (including voting precinct details) or rejection reasons. This bill directly affects first-time voters seeking to register online, replacing in-person registration for this group under specific ID and timing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1344 establishes the Mississippi Municipality and County Fire Station Building Fund within the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). It creates a grant program allowing municipalities and counties to apply for reimbursable grants (requiring a 50% local match) to renovate, upgrade, or modify local fire stations. The fund, initially seeded with $5 million from the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund, requires applicants to submit detailed project plans, population impact data, and disadvantaged community criteria. MEMA will rank applications based on factors including environmental impact, economic development benefits, and support for disadvantaged communities, with final awards at MEMA’s discretion. The bill mandates quarterly reporting to the legislature and requires audits of fund usage.

Maddy summaryHB 1119 (the "Representative Andy Stepp Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act") requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacies at least the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) for drugs plus a standard dispensing fee, ensuring pharmacies are paid fairly for medications. It prohibits PBMs from charging patients more than the amount retained by the pharmacy and bans PBMs from penalizing patients for choosing specific pharmacies or favoring certain pharmacies in networks. The bill also mandates clear appeal processes for pharmacies disputing low reimbursements and prohibits PBMs from retaliating against pharmacies for exercising rights under the law. These provisions directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and patients in Mississippi by setting fair reimbursement standards and protecting patient choice.

Maddy summaryHB 1234 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education to create a mandatory civics curriculum for all public middle and high schools, to be implemented by the 2026-2027 school year. The curriculum must cover five key areas: foundational U.S. government, civic knowledge, critical thinking skills, citizenship responsibilities (like voting and jury duty), and respectful participation in democracy. It specifically mandates teaching constitutional principles, how citizens engage with government, and skills for informed civic action. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, so it has not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Rankin County, Mississippi, along with its municipalities and existing drainage districts, to create a new Rankin County Stormwater Management Agency to handle flood and drainage issues. The agency would be formed through a local ordinance or resolution and could optionally be approved by voters via an indirect referendum. Once established, the agency's board of commissioners must develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan within 24 months and collect annual utility fees from landowners, which can be appealed to the county Board of Supervisors.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that asks the Mississippi Legislature to issue a formal apology for the state's role in the 1955 murder of Emmett Till and the subsequent acquittal of his killers. The text expresses regret for the hostile environment that allowed the crime to occur and apologizes to Till's family for the loss of his life and the failure to protect his constitutional rights. It also encourages the public remembrance of the Civil Rights Movement and instructs officials to share the resolution with constituents and community leaders. The bill explicitly states that the apology cannot be used as a basis for any legal lawsuits and was recently referred to a committee where it did not advance further.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to restore the right to vote to Gerald Laird, a resident of Jefferson Davis County who was previously barred from voting due to a 2003 robbery conviction. The legislation relies on the argument that Laird has behaved as a law-abiding citizen since his sentence expired in 2006. If passed, the act would remove his legal disqualification as an elector, allowing him to participate in elections. The bill currently remains inactive as it died in committee without further action.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Lasondra Bowling of Rankin County, Mississippi, who had previously lost her voting rights due to criminal convictions and prison sentences. The legislation specifically addresses her case by noting that she completed her probation in May 2020 and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. If passed, the act would officially reinstate her eligibility to participate in elections without requiring her to go through the standard restoration process again. The bill currently remains in committee and has not advanced further in the legislative process.